Chapter 116 - 82: Growing Reputation, Protect the Gentry!

Chapter 116: Chapter 82: Growing Reputation, Protect the Gentry!

"I hail from Lotus Water Village, so I am well aware of the Lu family’s usual conduct there. It is absolutely appalling!

"Besides them, there is the Qiao family of Nangang Town and the Huo family of Huping Village. Both have poor reputations among the commoners and run rampant with their villainy. Each family has the blood of over a dozen innocent lives on their hands.

"We have witnesses and physical evidence for all of this. If Master Zheng wishes to see it, it is available on call."

Du Ding’s firm and resolute reply instantly presented Zheng Jun with three distinct targets.

"What about the others?" Zheng Jun asked.

"We are still investigating," Du Ding replied. "Their reputations among the people are quite poor, and we have numerous testimonies, but they all lack substantial evidence. Therefore, I didn’t dare report them and disturb you, Master Zheng. Among the various families, only the Guo family of Shengdong Village is known for caring about the people. Whenever there are major disasters or droughts, they hand out porridge to relieve the poor."

"I understand," Zheng Jun nodded. "Then we’ll make an example out of the Lu, Qiao, and Huo families first. Sort out the deployment and just head out. Follow the Nansha Town model—simply claim we are exterminating bandits."

He was now a figure of status and reputation; such trivial matters could easily be left to his subordinates.

"Master Zheng..." Du Ding hesitated for a moment before speaking up. "The Qiao and Huo families are nothing to worry about. With Captain Yang stepping in, they can naturally be wiped out with ease. But the Lu family is somewhat unusual.

"They have an incredibly close relationship with the Lotus Water Sword, Yuan Yaoyang. Yuan Yaoyang’s late wife was Master Lu’s younger sister, and Master Lu’s three sons all take Yuan Yaoyang as their master. Furthermore, Master Lu himself is at Blood Refining Perfection, just one step away from Qi Storage. It is said he once fought a Qi Storage Martial Artist without suffering defeat.

"Additionally," Du Ding continued, "the Lu family has built a Dock Fortress. Although it isn’t large, it still presents an obstacle."

"It seems they are no longer just ordinary local tyrants." Hearing this, Zheng Jun stood up, a glint of battle intent flashing in his eyes. "What do they mean by building a Dock Fortress? Lotus Water Village isn’t even at the foot of Black Mountain. Are they building a Dock Fortress to plot a rebellion?!"

The Lotus Water Sword, Yuan Yaoyang? He had heard of him—an unaffiliated Qi Storage Martial Artist in Black Mountain County.

But building a Dock Fortress was far too arrogant. It was perfectly normal for the Gentry of Yunzhou to build Dock Fortresses, as they were frequently raided by Beirong and the Demon Court. But Bozhou was far away from all that. Lotus Water Village wasn’t even close to Black Mountain, let alone plagued by bandits.

Why build a Dock Fortress? They were definitely planning to rebel, no doubt about it. Moreover, Zheng Jun felt they must be colluding with the remnants of Southern Chu. As for evidence, Zheng Jun had plenty of it right here.

"Since they built a Dock Fortress, they aren’t just ordinary Gentry. They must be rebels! For the sake of Great Zhou, we must strike them down ruthlessly!" Without hesitation, Zheng Jun slammed his hand on the table and stood up, issuing orders to Du Ding. "Assemble the Personal Soldier Squad, along with the First Squad and the Cavalry File. Prepare to strike! We march on Lotus Water Village!

"The Third Squad will deploy immediately and head to Nangang Town to exterminate the entire Qiao fami—to eradicate the mountain bandits who have come down to raid the Qiao family! We must protect the Gentry Qiao family from harm!"

"Yes, sir!"

Hearing Zheng Jun’s orders, Du Ding was beyond thrilled. He could finally eliminate this scourge from his hometown! Upon receiving his orders, he didn’t hesitate for a moment, immediately rushing off to assemble the soldiers and prepare for the strike.

As he watched Du Ding’s retreating figure, two lines of small ink-wash text flashed before Zheng Jun’s eyes.

[Broken Jade Skill repayment progress: 2486/3000.]

[Wave-Treading Blade Technique repayment progress: 812/10000.]

Zheng Jun thought, "The Lotus Water Sword? I hope you have some skill. Give my repayment progress a decent boost."

After all, he was a highly renowned expert. Zheng Jun had heard his name from Xu Tianfang at the Xu Family Martial Arts Hall; he was supposedly the number one Qi Storage Martial Artist in Black Mountain County.

Zheng Jun definitely had his sights set on him.